Chiayi Airport might handle Taiwan-China flights this year

2012/07/24 22:19:38

Taipei, July 24 (CNA) Chiayi Airport in southern Taiwan could begin to handle Taiwan-China flights by the end of 2012, becoming the country's 10th airport to have direct aviation links with China, the Civil Aeronautics Administration said on Tuesday.

The air connection is expected to boost tourism and the local economy, as nearby tourist spots like Alishan are among the most popular travel destinations for Chinese tourists, Transport Minister Mao Chi-kuo said recently.

Three years after direct flight services were launched between Taiwan and China, a total of 50 flight destinations have become available, with each side holding nine and 41, respectively.

The airports currently operating cross-Strait flight services in Taiwan are those in Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Hualien, Taitung, Penghu and Kinmen.